News

The Canadian Army’s new General Purpose Sleeping Bag System (GPSBS), costing over $34 million, has been found unsuitable for harsh winter conditions, according to an internal report. Designed to keep soldiers warm in all weather, the sleeping bags reportedly failed to provide adequate warmth during a November 2023 deployment at Ram Falls Provincial Park, Alberta.

Despite using heated tents, soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) reported “several critical issues” with the system’s thermal protection. The sleeping bags were found to be inadequate for typical Canadian winter conditions, and certainly not suitable for the extreme cold of Arctic regions.

Military Response and Future Plans

The Department of National Defence responded quickly to the issues, distributing questionnaires to assess the sleeping system’s performance. Feedback indicated that the GPSBS lacked sufficient thermal protection, prompting the provision of additional supplies such as thermal blankets for soldiers in extreme environments.

While the GPSBS is intended for sub-arctic conditions, the military is also developing the Extreme Cold Weather Sleeping Bag System (ECWSBS) for Arctic use. The GPSBS will remain a core component of the army’s equipment but may require adjustments to ensure functionality in colder climates.

Canada’s Arctic Defense Focus

This issue comes at a time when Canada is renewing its focus on Arctic sovereignty. In April, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a new defense policy, “Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence.” The policy outlines Canada’s commitment to protecting its Arctic regions, with plans to invest $8.1 billion over five years and $73 billion over the next 20 years to equip the Canadian Army with the necessary tools and capabilities to defend against emerging threats in the North.